Pravachol side effects

ok I am 35 and just took my Pravastatin 20 mg. aka pravachol for the first time ever. This question is going to sound crazy because no one seems to ever have these symptoms so far that i have read. I took my pill and 39 minutes later i felt high like a marijuana high or a pain pill type of affect. i feel the pain in my muscles but it almost feels like a muscle relaxer to me I seem to be having opposite affects of this drug. Has ANYONE had this experience please please let me know.

Developed deep muscle aching and weakness in my legs to the point it was an effort to even get across the street. I quit taking Pravachol and never had the symptoms again. Not sure what I'm going to do next...maybe work harder on exercise and diet?

I had the most horrible leg and foot cramps and cramps in my hands from taking Pravachol. I stopped taking it about three weeks ago, but I still have very bad cramps in my hands. I think I must have arthritis.

I was prescribed Pravachol after experiencing a reaction to Zocor. In hind sight, this was probably the worst thing my doctor could have done to me. Only weeks on the Pravachol I began to experience lower back and hip pain. I blamed it on my mattress! Then one morning I went to roll over in the bed and pain shot through me up to my head. My hips were frozen the pain was unbearable. I cried and my husband got some old crutches from the garage. I needed help getting to and from the bathroom. He left for work and left me with the heating pad and Ibuprofen. I realized that this was extremely similar to the knee and leg pain I'd experienced on Zocor only to a much more significant degree and much more painful. I immediately stopped the Pravachol and a week later began to see improvement. Within two to three weeks I recovered to a degree of functionality. My doctor actually pushed me to try the Pravocol again! I got a new doctor instead. Turns out my cholesterol isn't even that bad!! I'm furious for the long term damage done to me and furious at a system that would put people through this knowing what it does!

I felt it important to share the following information with everyone adversely affected by statins, and hope it permits all to live life more abundantly. Please see the complete article in LifeExtension Magazine: *******/mag2008/feb2008_Alleviating-Congestive-Heart-Failure-With-Coenzyme-Q10_01.htm, as well as, Citizen Petition: Needed - A Change In The Labeling Of All Statin Drugs by Dr. Peter H. Langsjoen, MD, FACC a "Blue Ribbon" Board Certified Cardiologist from Tyler, Texas, who describes in detail the trouble with statins: “All statin drugs block the biosynthesis of both cholesterol and CoQ10, which explains statins’ common side effects of fatigue, muscle pain and muscle weakness, and a worsening of heart failure. When CoQ10 levels are lowered by statin drug therapy, one of the first changes to occur is a weakening of heart muscle function… In 2004, a study published in the American Journal of Cardiology showed that diastolic dysfunction (heart muscle weakness) occurred in 70% of previously normal patients treated with 20 mg a day of Lipitor® for six months. This heart muscle dysfunction was reversible with supplemental CoQ10. Heart failure that develops after years of statin drug therapy can be termed statin cardiomyopathy and may well be playing a role in the epidemic of congestive heart failure in the United States. In an effort to determine the prevalence of adverse effects from using statins, we studied 50 consecutive new patients, all of whom were taking a statin drug at the time of their initial visit. All 50 patients were found to have one or more side effects from statin therapy, so we discontinued their statin drugs and began supplemental CoQ10. Patients were followed for an average of 28 months with the following observations in the prevalence of adverse effects:
• A high prevalence of skeletal muscle pain and weakness at 64% on initial visit was reduced to 6% in follow-up.
• Fatigue decreased from 84% to 16%.
• Shortness of breath went from 58% down to 12%.
• Memory loss was reduced from 8% to 4%.
• Peripheral neuropathy decreased from 10% to 2%.
There were no adverse effects from stopping statin drug therapy with no cases of heart attack or stroke during follow-up. Overall, there was an improvement in heart muscle function on discontinuation of statin therapy and addition of supplemental CoQ10. However, due to powerful propaganda surrounding both cholesterol and statin drug therapy, many patients and physicians are afraid to stop statin therapy…Over the past five years, statins have become more potent, are being prescribed in higher doses, and are being used with reckless abandon in the elderly and in patients with "normal" cholesterol levels. We are in the midst of a CHF (Congestive Heart Failure) epidemic in the US with a dramatic increase over the past decade. Are we causing this epidemic through our zealous use of statins? In large part I think the answer is yes. We are now in a position to witness the unfolding of the greatest medical tragedy of all time - never before in history has the medical establishment knowingly (Merck & Co., Inc. has two 1990 patents combining CoQ10 with statins to prevent CoQ10 depletion and attendant side effects) created a life threatening nutrient deficiency in millions of otherwise healthy people, only to then sit back with arrogance and horrific irresponsibility and watch to see what happens - as I see two to three new statin cardiomyopathies per week in my practice.” Additionally, I have found the following newsletters/medical information helpful:
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severe muscle pain and joint pain aching all over. My right thumb has started hurting and popping. Until reading everyones symptoms, I thought if was "old age" arthritis. I've been taking 20mg Pravachol until 1 yr. ago when it was increased to 40 mg. I think I will be throwing them out tomorrow and trying a diet. Depression is so much a part of chronic pain and I have never been depressed until now. Anyone else out there having same reactions?????

My MD put me on Pravachol in August due to my elevated cholesterol, and the sudden, premature death of my beloved brother from a heart attack caused by his high cholesterol. I'm a very active, busy, 54 year old full time paramedic. So I'm no dummy in the ways of meds and health care. After being on this stuff for a couple of months I noticed that I was having a lot of unexplained pain in my lower back and legs. At first I attributed it to my job, which involves a lot of heavy lifting. But it kept getting worse, to the point of having great difficulty walking because of severe pain in both hip joints.I felt like I was an 80 year old woman. I couldn't even stand to use an elliptical machine or swim at my fitness center. I was also extremely depressed, lethargic, and having heart palpitations. I had pain in my shoulders, neck, back, kidneys, hips, and thighs. I stopped taking it 3 days ago, and have already noticed improvement. I think I'll try to lower my cholesterol with diet, weight loss, and exercise instead.

My husband has been on Pravachol for 2 weeks now and the same thing is happening with this that has happened with Vytorin and Crestor. Headache, muscle pain, depression. The pain started after taking it 15 days. The pain even makes his bones ache. He is also taking COQ10.

I was on Pravachol 40mg for 4 years. It got my cholesterol down from a bad 7.8 to 4.8 and it was great. I was even able to eat my beloved dairy products with impunity. Then, the pain started in my legs about 9 months ago. Was also experiencing calf cramps at night that were so bad I came out of bed screaming. I didn't think about that, because as an ex-athlete with 1 shoulder and 3 knee surgeries + lots of breaks and wear and tear, I just though it was from that or menopause. I also had a lot of heart palpitations and put that down to stress and menopause (I am 51). The leg pain got so severe when walking, etc., that I thought it was DVT. Constant, deep aching in my calves and cramping.. (and I still didn't think about the side effects of Pravachol)! Didn't mention this to my doctor. I lost 12kg, so my doc put me on 20mg, thinking that less weight = less cholesterol. Then I had my blood test. Always got the 6 month blood tests for elevated CK levels (indicates muscle damage) and liver functions. Got a call from Dr. next day saying to stop Pravachol immediately, as the CK levels were almost double what they should be. (Folks, I was taking CoQ10 all the time, too!) One week off the Pravachol and the pain and cramps disappeared and so did the heart palps and a lot of the other "funny" stuff happening to me. You have to consider that Pravachol can damage muscles and the heart is a muscle, so..... However, two months after going off the pills, my cholesterol was up to 6.9 (only bad one went up.) Not good. I have a genetic predisposition for this disease (mom, dad, brother) and it can't be controlled by diet. Both I, mother and brother tried...no avail. I am now on Ezetrol and will have a test in 2 weeks to see what it is doing. No pain from this, but boy am I having bad sweats! Has anyone else experienced these sweats? However, if it drops my cholesterol and doesn't damage my muscles, I'll carry around a bucket.
I do believe that you really have to think hard about taking any of the statins because of their action on the body. For Heaven's sake, if you are on statins, get those 6 monthly blood tests! It could save your life. I've heard anecdotal evidence of muscle damage without the CK being elevated on the blood tests. That is scary.

Since I have been on 20 mg of Pravachol, I have fallen once, feel wobly alot of the time and also have lower back pain. Worse in the middle of the night for some reason. Memory or alertness seems off also. Only been on Pravachol a little over two weeks. Not thinking I like these statin drugs at all.

I am a 51 year old healthy male. Was on Vytorin for nine months, but finally noticed I was getting really lethargic, was weak ( I used to be able to run on a treadmill for 30 minutes at 6 mi/hr, but finally could barely muster 10 minutes), had bouts of blurred vision, and a nasty tingling and pain that developed in my right foot causing me to limp. I had developed night sweats and cramping in my foot and legs. I was feeling like a 70 year old man in a 51 year old body, neglecting many of the things I normally like to do. I was just too tired. All this slowly developed and I did not put 2 and 2 together until I finally decided it had to be the Vytorin. I quit for a week, told the doc all my symtoms except the foot tingling were better. He said, lets try pravachol, 80mg instead since cholesterol of 180, 40 for HDL was still too high! One week on Pravachol was all I could take. All the symptoms came back and even worse. Now he wants to put me on Zocor. Says this is all "trial and error" to find the right combo. I am afraid I have nerve damage from this drug in my foot and I don't think the side effects are worth the decreased cholesteral count. I'd rather have a heart attack and die quick than suffer a long slow fall to become a total invalid by continuing to take these statin drugs. They are poisons, plain and simple.

I have severe numbness and tingling in fingers to the point of problems sleeping due to the discomfort. Also have pain and popping in both thumbs only. I heard from a friend that her brother had same symptoms with Pravachol, which is what I take. She said his doctor diagnosed osteoarthritis and thought it might be connected to Pravachol use. Anyone else know any connection or have similar symptom?

Muscle weakness in legs where legs give out all together and falls occur frequently

I do not know if this is a side effect or not but would definitely like to know if any one else has experienced this. I take am a diabetic and have hypertension and take several other medications, as well. I feel as this is a sleeping pill. I have taken this medication for a year and it has helped greatly with my cholesterol and all, but I have definitely changed in my sleeping habits. As I said, it is like a sleeping pill, and I cannot get awake in the morning and am very fatigued. I would appreciate any information available.

Thanks

I have been taking pravachol for about a year and half and I notice that I have trouble with some vision pain in legs. now my dr. wants me to add zetia....I am scared to start the zetia.

I have been taking Pravachol for about 1 year and have just had a blood test showing a high potssium level, has anyone else experenced this, I am also on toprol xl.

I'm experiencing chest pains on my right side and muscle spasms in my foot. I'm going to stop taking this medication.

I have been experiencing a dry cough since taking Pravachol. Is this a known side effect from taking Pravachol?

I have been taking pravachol for some time with no problem and then my dr added zetia with it. Lately I have been having terrible pain in my buttock are down to my ankle on the right side. Is this a side effect of the chloresterol medicine?

ijhave had severe left arm pain, and heaviness. the muscles in my legs are starting to burn and ache also. i even have numbness in the fingers. but the worst complaint is the muscle rigidness i feel all over my body as if there is a jack hammer in my body.

dry hair and skin. thinning hair.

Don't know yet how much damage was done, but my dr. took me off pravachol this week. I didn't realize I was having side effects from pravachol because I had started 2 new rxs in the past month. I have taken pravachol for 3 yrs. Pain in my whole body is terrible, unexplainable. I am a very active and independent person, but my energy is gone. My muscles feel tired after a few minutes of use. I'm just wondering if this is permanent. Can anybody tell me if they have recovered completely?

I am a Ph.D. psychologist. I began to have nuscle jerks and weekness on Lipator, so I stopped taking it. Several months later, my doctor started me on Pravacol which he said was about half the dose of Lipator. After 6 weeks, my legs, especially, and my arms have begun to twitch again. I am contacting my doctor tomorrow.

After taking Pravachol for almost a year I started having pain in my legs and arms mostly but really all over. My family Dr. took me off the Pravacho; and gemfibrsol. Instead of getting better it just kept getting worse. Finally when I could not function any longer because of the severe neck pain I went to the hospital, The Drs. there diagnosed "Rhabdomyolsis". I was put in Intensive care and the next day I had kidney dialysis.Following that my calcium, magniesium and potasium levels dropped. They are improving and I haven't had to have any more dialysis at this time. Still in a lot of pain from the muscle damage.

My aunt is taking 40 mg. of Pravachol and has gained weight and cannot sleep. Are these two side effects of the drug?
Thank you for your prompt response.

Marlene

I have had extreme pain in my left arm. I went to the dr. and she told me it was from my Provachol. She immediately took me off it and put me on Perocet for the pain. This was just yesterday. I'm hoping the pain to go away soon. She stated that the toxins from the Provachol had settled into my muscles in my arm and was breaking down the muscle enzemes in the muscle cells. I hope if you read this and you are on Provachol to stop taking it immediately and seek medical attention.
Dawn

It took about 14 days for the side effects to begin, they included abdominal pain, chest pain, generally feeling like I was coming down with the flu, and muscle aches.

FOR THE PAST TWO MONTH I HAVE HAD EXTREME SHOULDER
PAIN AND VERY BAD HAIR LOST ON MY HEAD. CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS ONE OF THE SIDE EFFECTS

I am on Pravachol 40mg and I am experiencing musculer problems. First let me tell you that I was on Crestor and told my doctor that I was experiending musculer problems. He took me off Crestor for 3 weeks and now he is giving me Pravachol 40 mg. I have taken them only 4 days and already I am having trouble. I did have back surgery a few years back and now have a serious problem with my nerves and muscles in my right leg. They have done everything possible to solve my problem that is short of another or multiple operations. I believe if there is anything else I could take for my problem I would rather not take Pravachol. I am now being treated by the IDD machine (therapeutic) and I am now on my 5th trip to the table. I was feeling good until I woke up this morning with the same pain as I have had with Crestor. Could you tell me have I given the Medicine enough time or do I continue until I can not move my muscles and my nerves are shot?. NOTE: I forgot to add that upon getting up in the morning I can not step down on the feet as the pain in my heal area is so very painful.

I am 60 yr old female that was on lipitor for several years and then changed to zetia and provachol 40 mg. because liver enzyne were elevated. I have been having problems with shoulder pain and also high eye pressure (not glaucoma yet).
My eye pressure has been high since 1997, except for the few months that I wasn't on any medicines for cholestrol.

I didn't notice my body aching until I started taking pravachol.

I am an active persom and can't let my body waste away, what say you, my cholosteral is a little high. What may be an alternative? I am a healthy person, now, and don't want this again I say, do me harm

i dont know i just started taking this medicine i was taking lipitor and it was causing my legs to cramp up so the doctor put me on pravachol but i cant any side effects on it please e-mail me and let me know if you can find anything janisputchaconis@yahoo.com

my father is 83 years old and has taken cholesterol medicine for many years. Initially the dosage was 40 mg of Pravachol which was later increased to 80 mg, and a few months ago his doctor also added 10 mg of Zetia. For his age he has been very active, dancing 3-4 nights per week. In May, 2005, he was in a car accident in which someone rear-ended him causing some back problems. Since that time he has seen his regular doctor and also an orthopaedic doctor in regard to this. After numerous X-rays, steroid shots and cortisone shots, he has continued to get worse. He is experiencing extreme pain in his shoulders and arms and also back and legs. He has pain in doing everyday things such as getting dressed, combing his hair, getting out of bed., etc. After the two doctors finally talked, they have told him to stop taking the Pravachol and the Zetia. Can this be what is causing his problems? Is this damage reversible? How long does it take for these medications to get out of his system? He has gone from being active to almost being an invalid!

Does Pravachol cause sleeplessness? Sure been having trouble getting back to sleep when I wake up at 1 AM and stay awake the rest of the time. M

pain in joints and lathlargic

Took Pravachol for only a few weeks. I haven't been able to take any statins yet. All caused muscle pain. Doctor keeps trying me on different ones. Thought the pravachol was o.k. but gradually over the last few weeks have had eye pain, diareah, bloated stomach, and now pain in my upper back around to my right side. Stopped taking it 2 days ago and pain still present but stomach already feeling better and no eye pain this morning.

I started taking pravachol around Thanksgiving 2004 and
in March 2005 I was experiencing numbness, tingling, chest pains, lower back pain, and my legs were very painful. So,
I stopped taking the pravachol on my own and I started feeling better. I was on so many other medications, that I didn't give it a whole lot of thought and I let my Primary Care
doctor talk me into taking the Pravachol again about eight weeks ago and now I know it is the Pravachol that is causing
me to hurt so bad and I fall down for no reason at all. I walk
into the walls, my balance is all out of wack. I will be going
back to my doctor this Friday on the 12th of August to talk about the Pravachol and to be properply tested. I will refuse
the Pravachol and get something more safe for me. I Pray there is no real damage done.

My dad has been taking Pravachol for 1 month (he was switched from Lopid) He has had an increased amount of hair loss since taking Pravachol. (more than his normal aging hair loss) Has anyone else experienced this.

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF PRAVACHOL EFFECCTS GLAUCOMA, WAS GOOING TO TRY GARLIC BUT IT SAID IF YOU HAVE GLAUCOMA NOT TO USE IT .

I have taken parvachol since August 2002.
The dosage began at 40 mg per day, and I didn't have any major side effects. Later the dosage was increased to 80 mg per day with 10 mg of Zetia. I took that dosage for about six months. It has left me completed disabled. I can't walk without extreme pain. My AST went up to 3 times normal and I realize that my liver has been damaged. The cardiologist never agreed to discontinue the drugs. My primary care M.D. did take me off all statins until more research is done to determine if my neuromuscular damage, loss of balance, painful eyes, and inability to walk can be improved. Has anyone else had these serious side effects?

30 days ago I woke up and had a hard time getting out of bed. My lower body muscles and nerves almost quit working. Within three days, they did quit working. My doctor sugested that the Provachol I was taking had had a adverse effect on my nervous system. I had been taking it for about 2 months. I quit taking the statin and am now (28 days later) starting to being able to walk. I am still using a walker but each day it gets a little better. I have been thru many different tests and the findings are that it is a reaction to the Provachol.

I am scared to Death!! Was on Zocor for 5+ yrs. Knee , leg pain and numbness til finally in Jan. 2002, my knee "folded" and went down and fractured my ankle badly!(7 screws and a plate) Was in hosp, 10 days,3 in ICU( anesthesiology overslept me) and when I woke up enough to know what from what, had NO feeling in either leg from the knees down. Long story short, I am one of the 1 in 100,000 who developes peripheral nueropathey from Zocor, plus was on Verapamil for ^ bp, which has just recently been found to be a no -no! Went off all for about a year and then started on Zetia. Not working, cholesterol is 262 and my Dr. has put me on Pravacol, another statin!!I will be most attuned to my body for any signs of knee pain, increased numbness (not completely feeling again, esp. feet) etc!! I am a 55yo female whose Father had a stroke at 58. I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard spot!!:(

Seems like every muscle and joint in body aches since taking Pravachol. Would like an alternative with less side effects.

How long does it take for Pravachol to be out of your system once you stop taking it?

I want to know if Pravachol causes night sweats?...does anyone know about that

Took Pravachol for 1 month - at the end of the one month
had terrible diarrhea - every 10 minutes - with just mucus
and blood - stop taking and was diagnosted with ulcerated colitis. I am still trying to stablize colon after being on azacol
for three months to stop diarrhea, which it did - have found 1000 mg of fish oil 3 times 360 epa 280 dpa I am slowly returning to close to normal.

I have had an upset stomach - bloating, wind - and varying diarrhea for about nine months or more. I am not sure but feel pretty certain it is linked to Pravachol. I was on 40mg, went down to 20 then back up to 40mg - total time on the drug was about 18 months (most of the time I was on 40mg) I stopped taking it seven days ago and my stomech feels less bloated but I still have soft stools and don't fancy any alcohol at all. My question is, if this is linked to Pravachol, how long should I wait for all these things to settle down after stopping the medication? I'm thinking of trying Policosanol - any comments on that?

Every joint and muscle in my body aches and hurts.But I am not sure if it is from the medicine or from my fibromylgia which will cause those symptoms.

44 yr opld white male dx'd w total chol of 290. Rx'd 20 mgs of Pravachol per day. Had increased liver enzyme in blood and very sore muscles (esp arms and legs). Reduced dosage to 10mgs per day and ulitmately to 10mgs every other day in combination w Zetia. Muscle pains reduced but liver enzymes still high and was switched to Zocor. Now have whole new set of side effects.
Seriously wondering if its worth it!

since taking this medication every joint and muscle in my body aches. This is very uncomfortable.